Change-speed mechanism for phonograph drives



June 7, 1960 M. J. H. sTAAR 2,939,327

CHANGE-SPEED MECHANISM FOR PHONOGRAPH DRIVES INvEN-roa MARCEL JULES HELENE 51m W Mg es M jf #af A'rrwfsl June 7, 1960 M. J. H. s'rAAR 2,939,327

cHANGEsPEED MECHANISM FOR -PHoNoGRAPH DRIVES Filed Oct. 24, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INvaN-roe Maman. JuLis HELENE STAAR @@mM/M/@ ATTYS,

United States Patent Q CHANGE-SPEED MECHANISM FOR PHONOGRAPH DRIVES Marcel Jules Helene Staar, 30 Square du Solbosch, Brussels, Ixelles, Belgium This invention relates to plural speed turntable drives for phonograph apparatus, and more particularly to a type of drive employing a stepped drive roller, and an idler wheel positionable so `as to be drivingly engaged between the turntable ange and the surface of one of the steps of the drive roller.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a turntable drive of this type in which, by means of a change-speed mechanism, the idler is shiftahle between the steps of the driver roller to obtain a desired speed, and, as well, to a declutched or vzero position where the idler is free from peripheral contact with the turntable ange and drive roller to prevent the development of at spots duringV periods of non-use of the apparatus. A further object of this invention is to provide for manual shifting of the idler wheel through movement of a manually operable control handle.

Heretofore in turntable drives of this type, it has been I the usual practice to mount the idler wheel such that it may be cammingly moved:

(l) Vertically for raising and lowering the idler be tween the levels'of the steps of the drive roller; and

(2) Laterally to clear each roller step. Thus when the idler wheel moves to obtain dilerent speeds it is free from contact with the drive roller. VWhile such arrangements are, in general, satisfactory, the presence of cams and associated elements to produce this idler wheel movment renders the change-speed mechanism complex, resulting in increased initial costs, servicing ditliculties, and a greater tendency to mechanical failure.

It is now proposed to reduce the complexity of the mechanism land improve the operation by moving the idler wheel so that it .partakes of a diierent action, wherein it remains -in contact with the drive roller while changing speeds. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide for sliding the idler wheel from step to step of the drive roller .in the direction of decreasing roller step diameter, i.e., in the direction from high turntable speed to low turntable speed. It is a related object` to carry out this sliding action of the idler wheel upon forward movement of a manual control lever, and while the idler wheel remainsunder the direct control of the operator during each successive'speed changing movement.

It is a further object to provide for shifting the idler wheel manually from engagement with the smallest diameter roller step and by spring actuated means to move the idler wheel directly to the zero position. It is a related object to provide spring operated means for shifting the idler wheel, which means acts independently of the manually controlled means once it is actuated, upon reverse movement of the manual control lever.

Other and additional objects will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of the plural speed turntable drive mechanism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a stop motion view showing the parts of the ice drive mechanism positioned to engage the idler wheel with the smaller step of the drive roller;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the drive mechanism;

Fig. 4 is another Vstop motion view, like Fig. 2, but With the parts of the drive mechanism positioned with the idler wheel in the zero position; t

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially in the 'plane of lines 5--5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a topplan elevationalview of the drive mechanism in the low speed position; t

Fig. 7 is a top plan elevational view showing the drive mechanism with the manual control lever shifted toward the zero position; and Y e Fig. 8 is -a top plan elevational view showing the'drive mechanism with the parts in the zerok position. *Y

While the invention is susceptible of various modiiications and alternative constructions, there is shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail an illustrative embodiment of the invention'. But it -is to be undersood that it is not thereby intended to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, and it is intended to embrace all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims,

Referring to the drawings, there -is shown in 'Figure 1 a record turntable 10 operated by la speed drive mechanism. The turntable is driven from a motor shaft 12 on which there is mounted a stepped drive roller l13, having, in the present instance, four separate steps yfor providing turntableV vspeeds of 16, 33%, 45 and 78 rpm., to play standard records. Interposed in, drive relation between a flange 14 depending from the turntable and the stepped drive Aroller 13, is an Iidler wheel 15 which is shiftable by means of a change-speed mechanism from a zero position, as depicted in Fig. 4, into engagement with the larger roller step and successively into engagement with the smaller steps of the roller 13 to obtain a selected turntable speed. To facilitate this movement, the change-speed mechanism provides a oating mount 17 for the idler wheel 15, having -an arm consisting of pivotally joined links 19, 20 mounted for movement horizontally, and vertically slidable on a pin 22 fixed to the `base of the player. 'Ihe connection between the links 19, 20 is provided by the pin 23. At one end of the oating mount 17, the idler wheel is rotatably mounted on the shaft 24. In the 'present instance the idler wheel when positioned in driving relation, Vis wedged between the stepped drive roller 13 and the turntable flange 14, being yieldably held in engagement with the roller and the turntable by means of a tension spring 25. Y

To carry out the appropriate positioning of the idler Wheel in order to obtain a desired turntable speed, a manually operated handle 30 is provided for operating the change-speed mechanism, in the present case this handle being fixed to a horizontal actuating shaft 31 (Fig. 5) rotatably mounted on the player base by means of a bracket 31 or the like. The handle 30 is arranged to control separate actuating means for the idler wheel mount 17, both of which means areernbodied in'the change-speed mechanism. The rst of these actuating means is employed for shifting the idler wheel mount vertically, and by virtue of this movement, to slide the idler wheel successively to smaller diameter steps of the drive roller. A rotary cam 32 is utilized in the changespeed mechanism vfor this purpose. This cam 32 is rotatably supported on the actuating shaft 31 and has on its face means for translating rotary movement of the cam into movement of the idler -wheel axially of the stepped roller. In the present instance, the foregoing is accomplished by a horizontal pin 33 which engages the end of the link 19 in a horizontal slot 34 provided Y In Vaddition to `carrying idler wheel, the' rotary cam-32presents onV its face Ya series to the rotary movementrof the pin. Upon turning the K handle 30, the cam 32, through the agency of the pin 33,

isjeiective to-raise the .floating -mount -for theY idler wheel15. t Q f .outthevertical motion ofV the of notches 35e-e forY cooperation Iwith a pawl pinV 36,

providing aipawl and detent means for yieldingly holding Ythe cam against movementfromzero and, drive positions, to-establish precisely the -proper levelofthe idler wheel f cam. 32 and into the notches 35u-e formed tl1erein,.theV

tension spring 40gisven1ployed'. It Vwill be understood that t the vnotches 35u-,e are' angularly so related as to establish the desired positions of the cam 32 and idler wheel mount. VAs stated above, the cam 32.is rotatably supported on 'theractuating shaft 31. For turning'the rotary cam V,32, Ya disc'41-(Fig3) Vfixed tothe `actuating shaft 31 Yis employed. This-disc-includesV af radially projecting arm,-portion 42 which -is eiective upon clockwise (Fig-V nre l-) V rotation of the manual operating.v handle 30, to engageVV the Vpin r33 mounted on the face of the rotary lcam for tprning the cam aboutrthe shaft 31,. A torsion spring 4,3fappli'es-a resilient spring force resisting advance of the Y cam 32, andserves to hold the ,camV against the arm 42 as seen inFigure l.

A second torsion spring 44' applies a resilient spring force against the control handle 30, urging it; in a-clockwise direction as seen in Figure l toward the therein torreceive the pin. The slot prevents binding due Y Referring, for example, to the drawings, in the mechanismV there depicted the idler wheel is 'shownrin Fig. 4 positioned at the zeroV position. Similarly, in Fig, 8, a plan View, the idler wheel is shown atfthe zero position. When in this zero position, the idler wheel 15 is at the level of the larger roller step,'and spaced therefrom, andrfromthe turntable` 10. 1 t

Upon movement ofthe controlhandle 30 counterclockwise from the solid'line position in Fig. 4 (clockwise as viewed; in-IFigure 1;),- the idler Vwheel mount is released to allow the idler wheelrtonioveV laterally from the zero position Vintoengagement with the Vlarger step of the pulley and the turntable flange under the-.urging of the tension springZS. successively as the pawl 36 or click allows it, thel idler wheel 1775 maybe shifted into engagement with the 'smaller `steps of the drive roller. As described above, the pawl pin 36 Vand the series of notches VBSa-,e borne by the rotary cam 32V `provide a pawl and detent means, and the, idler wheel '15 may be lower speed positions. '-In the mechanism illustrated in the ligure-the ltorsion springs 43, 44 work in the oppoysitedirection, against each other, and are substantially balanced. By means of the disc and offset arm 42,

therefore, a direct coupling is' established betweenV the manually movable shaftf31, and the rotary cam 32, when the, control handle 30 is turned in a clockwise direction. Normally, the click action due to the pawl 36 engaged in the notches 35u-e on the -face of the cam 32, yieldingly t Y holds the cam against accidental movementfromV the zero and drive positions, and also permits setting the idler wheel precisely by lfeel at the level of the stepped roller that will produce the desired turntable speed.

Y The second actuating means for the idler wheel mount in the present instance is effective toV shift the idler wheel l5v laterally to clear the roller 13 upon movement of the shown 'in Fig. 7, with the'rear surface of thelink 19 'for'moving the idler wheel upon pivotal movement of the rocker arm away from the face of the rotary cam 32. In accordance with the present invention,` the idler wheel followsl the movement of the control handle 30, in

`one direction of movement, to move from the zero position where it is spaced from the roller, into engagement with the Ylarger roller step, andthen to successive lower speed drive positions wherein the idler wheel is in er1- gagement with successively smaller steps of the drive roller by sliding the idler wheel while Vin peripheral engagement with the roller and turntable in the direction of gradually decreasing roller step, diameter.

accurately'pOSitioned by feel at the level of an appropiiate pulley step. to obtain a given .tprntable speed. Thus the operator feels the successive movements of the idler wheel, the curved notches 35u-e presenting resistance to turning the control lever 'and enabling the operator to set the idler ,wheel precisely at' the desired level. During the shifting ofl the idler wheel to the successive steps, the rocker arm, 3f7 is. OSQillated about the fixed pin y2.12 Adue. to. a cammina action, between1 the edges. 0f the notches 35e-e1 in the face'of' the cam and the pawl pin 36 sliding over these,edges.;A 'Ifheparrangement is such, however, thatjcletance isl left between the'r'ocker arm ear 48r and theV link, 19gso"that no motion is. transmitted tothe link 1,9,V and idler wheel, by virtue `of this oscillating movement, while changing speeds, Y Y

. EorchangingspeedrfromaV lower toa higher speed, in carryingout thisinyention, the idlerwheel is` first shifted directly from engagement with the driverroller, to` the zero position; and then byfmovement ofthe control handle in the manner just described, the idler wheel is shifted to the stepl ,ofA the drive roller which fwill give-the speed desired. For accomplishing the movement of Vthe idler wheel to the zero position upon reverse movement Yof the handle, the second actuating meansfor the idler` wheel mount is broughtV into operation. This means is effective to shiftthe idler wheel laterally Yto clear the drive roller, and simultaneously 'trips an idler wheel return mechanism by releasing the pawl and detent means. The idler wheel is shifted directly to theV zero position Vby this return mechanism which is spring actuated independently of the .manually controlled means.

This maybest be seen byreferring to Fig. 3, Vwherefrom it will Vbe Vevident that forward (clockwise) lmovement ofthe control handleeis transmitted by means of the disc 41,.the radial arm portion 42 and the pin 33, to the rotary Acam 32, which movement Afwinds up the torsion spring 43. Upon reverse movement of the control handle 30, and the` shaft 31,the rotary cam 32 remains stationary, being'heldin position bythe click-or pawl and detent means oered by the pawl pin SiS-seated `in the respective notch 35u-e. The tripping is caused when the rocker arm 37, moving Vas part of the second actuating means for the idler wheel'mount referred to above, and effective to shift the idlerV wheelV laterally to clear the Adrive roller, simultaneouslymoves the pawl pin 36,-away from the face of the rotary cam 32, to release the pawl and detent means. Thereupon the energy Stored inthe `wound-up spring -43 is utilized to move the rotary cam vthe control handle, the idler wheel is shifted laterally to clear the drive roller, and then displaced'by spring means,

acting independently of the control handle, directly to a declutched or `zero position. In order to produce this -return movement of the idler wheel to zero position, it

has been necessary to place the control handle inra corresponding zero position, and thus the mechanism for controlling the idler wheel is re-engaged by the control handle for positioning the idler wheel in drive relation with the roller and turntable.

I claim as my invention: l.Y In a phonograph apparatus having a record turntable, a stepped drive roller having a larger, high-speed `step and successively smaller steps, and an idler wheel resiliently urged into driving relation between atange on the turntable and the drive roller, a change-speed mechanism, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a oating mount for rotatably supporting the idler wheel, said mount being movable between a zero position wherein the idler wheel is spaced from the larger step of the roller and the turntable, and successive lower speed drive positions wherein the idler wheel is in engagement with successively smaller steps of the drive roller and the turntable, a cam for moving the idler wheel mount and having zero and 'drive positions corresponding to the Zero 'and drive positions of the idler wheel, a spring urging said cam toward the zero position, pawl and cam carried detent means for yieldingly holding said cam against movement from the zero and drive positions, an actuating member mounted for movement between limits corresponding to the zero and low speed drive positions of the idler Wheel, and operative upon movement to the zero position, to shift the idler wheel mount and move the idler wheel laterally to clear the roller, and to release said cam from said pawl, so that under the urging of said spring said cam and idler Iwheel are directly returned to the zero position, said actuating member being operative upon movement from the zero position, to release said idler wheel mount so that the idler wheel is resiliently urged into driving relation between the turntable and the larger step of the drive roller, said actuating member being operative upon continued movement from the zero position, by means of said cam, to shift the idler wheel vertically successively into engagement with the smaller steps of the roller.

2. In a phonograph apparatus having a record turnstep and successively smaller steps, and `an idlerV wheel resiliently urged into driving relation between a ilange ron the turntable and the drive roller, a change-speed mechanism, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a oating mount for rotatably supporting the idler wheel,

v said mount being movable between a zero position Wherein the idler wheel is spaced from the larger-step of the y roller and the turntable, and successive lower speed drive positions 'wherein the-idler wheel is in engagement with successively smaller steps of the drive roller and the tion,.paw1 and cam carried detent means for yieldingly holding said cam against angular movement from the zeroand drive positions, an actuating member mounted Yfor rotary movement between limits corresponding to the 'aero and low speedl drive positions of the idler Wheel, land operative .upon movement to the .zero position, Vto *shift the idler wheel mount and move the'idler wheel table, a stepped drive roller having a larger, high speed laterally to clear the roller, and to release said cam 'from said pawl, "so that under the urging of said spring said cam and idler Wheel are directly returned to the Azero position, said actuating member being operative upon movement from the zero position, to release said idler wheel mount so that the idler wheel lis resiliently urged into driving relation between the turntable and the larger step of the drive rollersaid actuating member being operative upon continued movement from the zero position, by means of said cam, to shift the idler wheel axially successively into engagement with the smaller steps of the roller.

3. .In a phonograph apparatus having a record turntable, a stepped drive roller having a larger, high speed step and successively smaller steps, and an idler wheel resiliently urged into driving relation lbetween the turntable and the drive roller, a change-speed mechanism, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a mount for rotatably supporting the idler wheel, said mount being movable between a zero p'osition wherein the idler wheel is spaced from the larger step of the roller and the turntable, and successive lower speed drive positions wherein the idler wheel is in engagement with successively smaller steps of the drive roller and the turntable, spring means for urging said mount toward the zero position, means for yieldingly holding said mount against movement from the zero and drive positions, an actuating member mounted for movement between limits corresponding to the zero and low speed drive positions of the idler wheel, and operative upon movement from the zero position, by means of said mount, to shift the idler wheel from the zero position into engagement with the.

larger step of the roller and, upon continued'movement, successively into engagement with the smaller steps of the roller, said actuating member being operative upon movement toward the zero position, to shift said idler wheel laterally and to release said'mount so that under the urging of said spring means said mount and idler wheel are directly returned to the zero position.

4. In a phonograph apparatus having a record turntable, a stepped drive roller having a larger, high speed step, successively smaller steps, and an idler wheel resiliently urged into driving relation between the turntable and the drive roller, a change-speed mechanism, said mechanism comprising, in combination, amount for rotatably supporting the idler wheel, said mount being movable between a zero position wherein the idler wheell is spaced from and at the level of the larger step of the roller and the turntable, and successive lower speed drive positions wherein the idler wheel is at the level of and in engagement with successively smaller steps of the drive roller and the turntable, spring means for urging said mount toward the zero position, means for yield- Yingly holding Asaid mount against movement from the zero and drive positions, an actuating member mounted for movement between limits corresponding to the zero and low speed drive positions of the idler wheel, and operative upon movement from the zero position, by means of said mount, to shift the idler whe'el into engagement with the larger step of the roller and, upon continued movement, axially thereof successively into engagement with the smaller steps ofV the roller, said actuating member being operative upon movement toward the zero'position, to move said idler Wheel laterally to clear the roller, and to release said mount so that under the urging of said spring means said mount and .idler wheel are directly returned to the zero position.

5. ln a Vphonograph apparatus having a record turntable, a stepped drive roller, and an idler wheel resiliently urged into driving relation between the turntable and the drive roller, a change-speed mechanism, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a mount for rotatably supporting the idler wheel, said mount being movable between a zero position wherein the idler wheel is spaced from the roller and turntable and vdrive posi- Y Y" 8. In a phonograph apparatushaving a record the, idler wheel,4 and operative upon movement from the zero,jgiosition,l by means; of said mount, to shift the idler wheel; into engagement with the roller, -said actuating mernlperv being operative uponmovement toward the zero 'positionftoj release saidmonnt, Yso thatunder the urging of said spring means said mount and Vidler wheel are -directly returned-*to the zero position.

l V6. Inj'a' phonograph lapparatus having a record turntable, a stepped drive roller having'a larger high-speed `stepYV and successively smaller steps, and an idler wheel flnevable betweenarzeroresitien-wherein sneed and Sueeessve lower sneeddve positions werein the Yidler Wheel is in. engagementWith-successively Smaller Stepsef `the-drive grller Yand theturntable, a rotarycam VjffrfmevinsV thefidler'wheelrmount and having angular Zero and drive positionsV corresponding "t0 the geroand t driyepositiQns of; the Vidler wheel,l an actuating member resiliently-nrgediinto drivinggrelation between the tnrn- Y table Yand YJthe drivel roller, ajchange-speed mechanism, .said mechanism comprisingin combination, amount for rotatably supporting theY i'dler wheel, said mount being -movaeble between'ea zero position wherein the 'idler wheel is spaced from Ythe roller andturntable, and'drive positions iwherein theidler wheel Yisinv engagement 'therewith,: springfmeanstor, urging saidmount toward the 'Y zero position, `,meanszior yieldingly holding said mount Y `against:'movement*from ,the-zeroand driveV positions, an

actuating member 'mounted-for movement between positionscorrespondingy to vthe zero and driveA positions of the 'idler wheel, and operative upon movement from the zero Y position, by means ofVV said, moundV to shift the idler Ywheelinto engagement-withthelarger step of the roller 'tand axially thereof to the successively smaller steps by .slidingV thejidler .wheel wg-hile in peripheral engagement withjtherollertand turntable/said actuating member bev ing operativeupon movement Vtoward theV Yzero position, vto :shift said mount, laterally to clear theY idler wheel from the rollen-and-'to release said mount, so that under the urging of said Aspring meansr saidrmount and idler Vwheel are directly. returned tothe Zero4 position.

. 7. YIn a Vphonograph 'apparatus Vhaving a, record turntable, astepped drive roller lhavinga larger, high-speed step andV steps of successively smal-ler diameter to a lows'p'eed step, and idler wheel resiliently'urged in todriving v relation betweenaiiange on the turntable and the drive roller-,a change-speed mechanism, said mechanism comprising', Vin combination, a iloat-ing mount Vfor rotatably supporting the-idler wheel, said mount being movable Y between a zero position wherein the idler wheelis spaced from the rollerand the turntable, toV a high-speed and successive .-lower speed drive Ypositions wherein the Aidler wheel is in engagement with successively smaller steps votthe 'drive rol-ler and the turntable, Ya cam for moving the idler wheelimount and having zero and drive positions corresponding tothe zero and drive positions of the idler wheel, an 'actuating member mounted for movement independently of. said cam between limits corre'- sponding tothe zero and low speed drive positions of the idler Wheel, and operative upon movement from the zero position, toi release the idler wheel so that the same is resiliently `Iurged laterally into engagement wit-h the largerl step-of the roller and, upon continued movement, by rmeans of said cam, to the successively smaller steps 'of the'irolle/r bysliding the idler wheel laxially while in peripheralrengagement with the roller and turntable, and means for selectivelyv returning said idler wheel to the zero position'. t

turntable, a stepped drive Yroller having a larger, high-speed step and steps of successively smaller diameter to a low speed step, andan idler wheel resiliently urged into drivt ing relation between a ange on the turntable and the tatably suppertins the idler Wheel,V Seid mount being mounted/,for Atrolly 'movement independentlyV of said ca m Y.betWf-,err limits corresponding tothe zero and low speed drive positionsof the idler Wheel, and operative upon angular movement ffrom the zero position, to release the idlerA Wheel so that ythe same is resilientlyk urged laterally into Yengagement, with the larger step of Ythe roller and, upon continuedrmovement, by'means of said cam, to the successively smaller stepsY ofthe. Vroller Yby sliding the idler wheel axiallyY while in Yperipheral engagement with the roller and: turntable,' and means for selectively returning said idler wheel to the zero posi-tion.

9. Inga multi-speed drivingY mechanism for phonographs of theY type haying'a flanged turntable, the combination cmnprising:` a stepped Ydrive roller'having a larger; high-Speed step and steps Yof successively decreas- Yrollerband spaced from the same and the turntable flange,

successive: intermediate drive positions-from high to low .speed wherein theV idlerA Wheel is in engagement witihthe Y .larger and .the successively decreasing" diameter steps of rthe roller, andra low speed drive position wherein the idler-'wheel is 'in engagement with the'low speedv step of thedrive roller;A an adustable controller for said idler wheel comprising a manually operable actuating membermovable inopposite directions between limits deiining Azero. and low speed drive positions',vrespectively; means Ae'ngageable with said idler wheel mount and operative upon movement of said member -in one direction'from the Vzero position to release the idler wheel so that the same is resil-iently urged laterally into engagement with VYthe Ilarger roller step, and a cam coupled to said idler wheel mount 'and said actuating member andrelffective upon continued movement of said member inthe same direction, to'move said idler wheel axially"tfrorn-y step to step of the roller'by sliding the idler wheel lwhile in peripheral engagement with the roller; a yspring urging 'said Ycam in such direction as to return the idler wheel toward the zero position; click vmeans for yieldingly holding said cam Yagainst movement from positions corresponding -to the zero and drive positions ,of-the vidler wlheel; and means for communicating movement of the actuating memberrin the reverse direction to said click means to release said cam, lso that under the urging of said spring, said -idler wheelgis directly returnedto the zero position. t Y

10.,=In a `multi-speed driving mechanismV for phonographs ofthewtyperhaving aanged turntable, the combination comprising: la stepped vdrive roller having a larger, high-speed-step and steps of successively decreasing diameter to a smaller low speed step; an idler wheel resiliently urged into driving relationv A'hervir/een the turntable flange and the roller vand having a Yzero'position wherein the idler wheel [is opposite the larger step of. the roller and spaced from the same and the turntable ange, successive Vintermediate drive positions from high tov low speed wherein the idler wheel is in engagement with .the larger and the successively decreasing diameter steps of the roller, and a low speed drive position, wherein the idler wheel is in engagement with the low speed step of the drive roller; an adustable controller for'said idler Wheel comprising a manually operable actuating member rotatably mounted for` movement in oppositeY directiene between limits dening'zere @d "IOWf'SPeed five l 'acarrear 9 positions, respectively; means engageable with said idler wheelniount and operative upon angular movement of vsaid member in one rotary direction from the zero to the low speed position to release the idler Wheel so that the same is resiliently urged laterally into engagement with the larger roller step, and a rotary cam coupled to said idler wheel mount and said actuating member and eiective upon continued angular movement of said member in the same rotary direction, to move said idler wheel axially from step to step of the roller by sliding the idler wheel while in peripheral engagementV with the roller; a spring urging said cam in such rotary direction as to return the idler wheel to the zero position; -pawl and detent means for yieldingly holding said cam against angular movement from positions corresponding to the zero and drive positions of the idler wheel; and means for communicating movement of the actuating member in the reverse rotary direction to said idler wheel mount to shift the idler wheel laterally to clear the roller, and to said pawl and detent means to release said cam, so that under the urging of said spring, said idler wheel is directly returned to the zero position.

l1. In a phonograph apparatus having a record turntable, a stepped drive roller having a larger, high-speed step and successively smaller steps to a low speed step, and an idler wheel resiliently urged toward driving relation between a ange on the turntable and the drive roller, a change-speed mechanism, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a oating mount for rotatably supporting the idler wheel, said mount being vertically and laterally movable between one limit zero position wherein the idler wheel is held opposite the larger step of the roller and spaced from the same and the turntable,

and a second limit drive position wherein the idler wheel is resiliently urged into engagement with the low speed step of the drive roller, and having successive intermediate drive positions from high to low speed wherein the idler wheel is resiliently urged into engagement with the successively smaller steps of the roller, a cam for raising and lowering the idler wheel mount and having zero and drive positions corresponding to the zero and drive positions of the idler wheel, a spring urging said cam toward the zero position, pawl and detent means for yieldingly holding said cam against movement from the zero and drive positions, an actuating member mounted for movement in opposite directions between limits corresponding to the zero and low speed drive positions of the idler wheel, and operative upon movement in one direction from the zero position, to release the idler wheel for movement into resilient engagement with the larger step of the roller and, upon continued movement, to move the idler wheel, by means of said cam, into engagement with the successive smaller steps of the roller by sliding the idler wheel axially while in peripheral engagement with the roller and the turntable, said actuating member being, operative upon movement in the'reverse direction, to move said idler wheel laterally to clear` the roller steps and to release said cam from said pawl and detent means,

so that under the urging of said spring said cam and,

idler wheel are directly returned to the zero position.

l2. In a phonograph apparatus having a record turntable, a stepped drive roller having a larger, high-speed step and successively smaller steps to a low speed step,

and an idler wheel resiliently urged toward driving relation between a flange on the turntable and the drive roller, a change-speed mechanism, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a oating mount for rotatably supporting the idler wheel, said mount being vertically and laterally movable between one limit zero position wherein the idler wheel is held opposite the larger step of the roller and spaced from the same and the turntable, and a second limit drive position wherein the idler wheel is resiliently urged into engagement with the low speed step of the drive roller, land having successive intermediate drive positions from high to low speed wherein the idler wheel is resiliently urged into engagement with the suc,- cessively smaller steps of the roller, a rotary cam for raising and loweringv the idler wheel mount and having angular zero and drive positions corresponding to the zero and drive positions of the idler wheel, a torsion' springA urging said rotary cam angularly toward the zero position, pawl and detent means yfor yieldinglyholding said cam against angular movement from the zero and drive positions, an actuating member mounted for rotary movement in opposite rotary directions between limits corresponding to the zero and low speed drive positions of the idler wheel, and operative upon movement in one rotary direction from the zero position, to release the `idler wheel for movement into resilient engagement with the larger step of the roller and, lupon continued movement in thev same rotary direction, to move the idler wheel, by means of said cam, into engagement with the .successive smaller steps of the roller by sliding the idler wheel axially while in peripheral engagement with the roller and the turntable, said actuating member being operative upon movement in the reverse rotary direction, to move said idler wheel laterally to clear the roller and torelease said cam from said pawl and detent means, so that under the urging of said spring said cam and idler Wheel are directly returned to the zero position.

13. In a phonograph apparatus having a record turn- Vdrive roller, a change-speed mechanism, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a oating mount for rotatably supportingthe idler wheel, said mount b eing vertically and laterally movable between one limit zero position wherein the idler wheel is opposite the larger step of the roller and spaced from the same and the turntable, and a second limit drive position wherein the idler wheel is in engagement with the low speed step of the drive roller, and Vhaving successive intermediate drive positions from high to low speed wherein the idler wheel is in engagement with the successively decreasing diameter steps of the roller, a cam for raising and lowering the idler wheel mount and having zero and drive positions corresponding to the zero and drive positions of the idler wheel, a spring urging said cam toward the Zero position, Van actuating memberk mounted for movement in opposite directions between limits corresponding to the zero Vand low speed drive positions of the idler wheel, and effective upon movement in one direction from the zero position, to release the idler wheel so that the same moves laterally into resilient engagement with the larger step of the roller, means coupling said cam to said actuating member so that upon continued movement of the actuating member Vin the same direction said cam is effective to move the idler wheel to the successively smaller steps of the roller by sliding the idler wheel axially while in peripheral engagement with the roller and the turntable, said actuating member being effective upon movement in the reverse direction to shift said idler wheel laterally toward the zero position and to release said cam so that under the urging of said spring, the idler wheel is returned directly to the zero position.

14. In a phonograph apparatus having a record turntable mounted on a vertical axis, a stepped drive roller also mounted on a vertical axis and having a larger, highspeed step and successively smaller steps to a low speed step, and an idler wheel resiliently urged into driving relation between a flange on the turntable and the drive roller, a change-speed mechanism, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a floating mount for rotatably supporting the idler wheel, said mount being vertically and laterally movable between one limit zero position wherein the idler wheel is opposite the larger step of the roller and spaced from the same and the turntable, and a second Y driveposition/ wherein `the idler wheel-V is in engage.-

sncces'sive intermediatel drive po tions 'fro'mhigh''to lasagna? t successively decreasing diameter steps of the roller,

af rotary c am for ,raising and Vlowering lthe idler ywheel Y mount andrjhavring angular zero and drive positions corresponding to vthe zero and drive positions of the Vidler wheel; vafspring urging said cam angularly towardv the Y Y zero position, V'an actuating meinberirnounted for move- Y mentV in opposite directions' between limitsfcorresponding to theY zero and low speed drive positionsof'the idler Y wheel, effective upon movement in one direction from the zero position, to release the idler wheel so Vthat the salineY moves laterally into engagementwith the larger step of the roller, means coupling "said cam to said actuating t member so that upon continued movement of the actu'- ating'r member in the same direction said cam is effective to. move'ithe idler 'wheel ,vertically to the successively smaller steps of the roller by" sliding the idler wheel while in peripheral engagement with the roller and the turntable,means connecting said actuatingrmemlber and said Vidler wheel mount sorthatupon movement of the actuating memberV in the reverse direction'said idler wheel is shifted laterally torclear the roller, and said cam under the urging of said spring is effective Yto return the VVidler wheelvertically to the zeroY position.

15.'In a phonograph apparatus having a record Vturnurgedrinto drivingrrelation'between the turntable and the drive roller, Va change-speed mechanism, said mechanism Y comprising in combinatiom a oating mount for rotatably silzpporting,the idler wheeLtsaid mount being'vertically -and laterally movable between a zero position wherein the idler Wheel is opposite the larger stepV of the roller Yand spaced from the same and the turntable' and drive positions wherein the idler wheel is in engagement with there'drive'roller and the turntable, a manually operable Y controller for said mechanism including a shaft mounted for rotary movement adjacent said Vidler Wheel mount and having a control handle, a rotary cam for moving the idlerwheel mount and rotatably mounted on said shaftffor independent movement, said cam including a cam face opposite said mount, means on saidv cam face translating rotary movement of said cam to vertical movement of said mount, saidV cam having angular positions corresponding to the zero and drive positions of 'the idler' wheel, a torsion spring rotatably urging said cam in one angular direction toward thetzero position,

arrocker arm pivotally mounted adjacent the face of said s cam and engageable with the idler wheel mount, a pawl on said rocker arm, lsaid cam face having a succession of detents for cooperation with said pawl for yieldingly holding said cam against angular movement from the zero and drive positions, a disc mounted on said shaft andhaving an arm engageable to shift said -rocker arm in a direction to engage the idler wheelk mount and move the idler wheel to the zero position thereof as an incident to movement sparate une nennen zthe.@salir-0 1tattile.fran the position.` t

16; In a phono-graph'apparatus having a Yrecord turn- Y table, a stepped'dive roller,r and anidlerfwheelmovable `into drivin''gfrelation between .the tiirnt'able and the' drive ,rc; ller,'V a changespeed mechanism, said,V mechanism comprising, in'combination, mean'sfniounting' .the idlerwheel Vand roller for relative. lateraland'airial movement,` said means being actuable between a rst position wherein the idler V'wheel 'is` adjacent the Ylargest rollerfst'ep` andsuoces- Y sive positions wherein thelvidlerlvvheel vis'adjacent the table, a 'stepped drive roller, and an idler wheel resiliently cessively smaller steps of the roller', a spring tending to -draw the idler wheel into engagement with the roller` and turntable for establishing driving relation therebetween,V anfactuating member seleetively movable between positions corresponding to saidf'rstandfsaid Successive positionsca'rn means operated'by'said actuating member and connected withgthe means 'mounting the'idler Vwheel and .rollenlsaid :'am"means"v being'const'ructed" and arrfingedV to slide the ,roller and the Vidler''wheelrelatively axially while the same remain inlperipheral engagement ,in Athe,d'n'ec'gtionfrom the larger tothe smaller stepsfyieldable means for holding the idlerwheel androlle V'against movement relative tov each other fromv saidp'o'sition's,

of the control handle to thezero position, said arm being Y means connectedto said actuating member for shiftingthe idlerwheel laterally to clear the roller steps upon VInovem'ent of the member toward thesaid iirst'position and coincidentally'to release the idler wheel and roller from said yieldable means, and spring means effective upon suchrelease for shifting the Vroller and idler' wheel relatively axially to the first position. Y i

References cned inl the riley rer this patent Y UNIT-ED STATES PATENTS ornnn nnFEnnNCES y t t Product Engineering,if91, 2,1, NQ 1V, pgaggJ .January o. Y Y s, 

